Dinner with the Lovejoy’s

We had very nice time with Shawn and Tricia last night at their home for dinner. As this year spent with Mountain Lake church comes to a close it was great to reminisce on all that has happened. 

We are grateful to Shawn, David and everyone with MLC and Church Planters.com. Our time with you has been one of the most valuable and refreshing times in our lives!!

As we leave you I want you to know that you have a made personal impact on my whole families lives.

THANK YOU!!!!

We moved

Yes that’s right…In this market!?!?  After finally listing our house it sold with being listed for only 2 months!

We pulled off the packing and loading with out a hitch. Thanks to 8 real friends who helped out.  Did you know that your real friends will help you move!

I am reminded of the verse—For I know the plans I have for you… Is that true or what. God you are always in control-Period-End of Story!!

It’s good to be in Gods will!!!!!

Memorial Day weekend

Hey we had a great time in Lynchburg visiting the Hindsons (Christys parents).  Dr Hindson should be getting released from the Hospital after being there for 90 days. He will have plenty of recovering to do at home so continue to pray.

While we were there we hiked up to the top of the Peaks of Otter. All my kids even J.D who is only 2 made it to the top with no help!!!  My kids are awesome.

I cant wait to see them grow up and do great things for God. I am already proud of them.

Gold Nuggets

Here are a few nuggets from Rick Warren that I found—good stuff to remember…

If you wrestle with a pig you’ll both get dirty.”
“Define yourself or others will.”
“Bless those who curse you.“
“Separate fact from opinion.”
“Hurt people hurt people.”
“Insults are insecurities.“

Barefoot Community Church

Christy and I had an awesome time with Clay and Kim Nesmith.  They are two great people leading a great church. Barefoot is not even 3 years old and running almost 1000 people!  They are really reaching people who are far from God. I know God is going to do incredible things through this church. They have all the right stuff!!!

Every sunday evening after the service they do a  sunday “Wrap up” video podcast.  Clay must have been short on good ideas to have asked Christy and I to be on it… But it was fun. You can check it out here on clays blog. 

Here are some take aways from our weekend:

Believe Big—God loves people who trust totally in him

God loves to use Ordinary People

Give generously–Barefoot puts on a full blown breakfast for both morning services

Location, Location, Location–pick the most accessible spot to put your church. Barefoot has the most amazing facility in the best location!

Clay you and your staff are a cut above!  Thanks for your gracious hospitality while we were with you. I can’t wait to get together again!

I forgot to mention that Barefoot is in Myrtle Beach SC.  Yeah I know you think that we played the whole time that we were there—and you’re right. We had a great time.  We went to the movies and saw Iron Man, jogged on the beach, and watched millions of bikers driving up and down the road (it was bike week). Christy and I couldn’t help but rent a bike and get out on the road. Check out the pic…

A Great Mothers day.

The kids and I got up this morning and made Christy the best breakfast ever then went to Mountain Lake’s west campus. It was a great service–good enough to make Christy cry.  Then we went to lunch and played at the park.  Later the girls gave mom their version of a spa day while JD and I mowed grass. To top it all off, we sent her off to get a pedicure while we played and then had dinner.

Christy we love you and couldn’t exist without you. There isn’t anyone in the world that I would want to be my wife and the mother of our children.

 We are grateful to God for you!!!!!!

 

 

Everything is bigger in TEXAS

I’m in Austin TX today with Paul Peterson at a Church Planters Round table with some really sharp people.  Today we will have opportunity to continue to learn and develop partnerships. 
We fly back to the ATL tonight late and tomorrow my wife has me ropped in a garage sale.  My most favorite thing to do!?!?!?

Next weekend Christy and I will have a great opportunity to meet the pastor and staff at Barefoot Community church in Myrtle Beach.  Clay Nesmith is the pastor there. A real down to earth guy with a heart for God and people.

Natural Development

I heard Andy Stanley recently at the Orange conference and he had some great stuff to say about discipleship. Basically he talked about the question all churches ask:  How do you help people grow to maturity in Christ??  He said the goal is to help people become “Self Feeders”.

Making Disciples should be natural–just ask anyone there testimony and you will always find the same 5 ingredients. In all models of Discipleship and in every spiritual growth story here is what you find…

1.  Practical teaching

2. Providential Relationships

3. Private Disciplines

4. Pivotal Circumstances

5. Personal Ministry

So if maturity is getting to a place where your able to feed yourself—then as you put together your system or program of discipleship it should fan the flame in these areas. This also is very helpful if your leading a small group to know what to look for and how to encourage people as you see them somewhere in this process.

Amazing Trip to Bay Area Fellowship

Christy and I just got back from Texas. We flew into San Antonio, then drove down to Corpus Christi to check out Bay Area Fellowship. We were treated like royalty by Paul & Teri Schultz and Bil & Jessica Cornelius.  They are awesome people.  I was really blown away by the investment they made in us.  It’s great to hang out with guys who love Jesus and model it well! They really do inspire you to Go Big.

Bay Area dreams BIG and reaches the masses. Their new facility rocks. I loved the people and the excitement. Church was so fun–it made you want go back!

Here are few take aways from Bil and Paul:

Humility & Loyalty rule

Keep everything simple

Add a “0″ to your vision

Tap local talent

Enjoy ministry/life at every stage

Keep the atmosphere upbeat (you’ve never seen a staff laugh so much)

Use your staff/leadership to create culture in worship service

Be a “faith pirate”

 

 

 

 

I’m back

Yes I know I have not blogged for a while…. Everybody is busting my chops. “If your going to be a real blogger you’ve got to get serious about it. Blog more often, put in more pictures, say something relevant”. 

So here it is for today.

I’m in Orlando with the Mountain Lake team getting geared up for the Xponential conference.  Looking forward to learning some good stuff, hearing from God and meeting up with some friends.

We ate an early dinner and are getting ready to go for a jog.  All of us. Shawn Lovejoy, David Putman, Paul Peterson and myself.  I got news for them—-Everybody is going down!!

Hopefully I’ll be back again someday soon to say something relevant…